Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education (MPBSE) will declare results of Class X and XII board exams on May 15 at 11 am.
According to a spokesman of the board, students also can see the exam result on its websites –www.mpresults.nic.in,www.mponline.gov.in,www.examresults.net. More than 18 lakh students have appeared for the 2014 board exams.
Indicating a trend contrary to the SSLC examination results over the last few years, the Plus Two results for 2014, announced here on Tuesday showed a dip in the percentage of students becoming eligible for higher studies. This year, the percentage of students becoming eligible for higher studies stood at 79.39 percent, against last year’s 81.34 percent.
Announcing the results, education minister P K Abdu Rabb told reporters that of the 3,42,410 candidates who appeared for the higher secondary examination held in March, 2,71,836 became eligible for higher studies.
Interestingly, there is a substantial increase in the number of students who achieved A+ in all subjects. While 6,783 students got A+ in all subjects this year, the figure was only 5,183 last year. In gender wise calculations, 85.60 percent of girls who took the examination become eligible for higher studies while only 72.48 percent of boys got through.
When it comes to stream wise analysis, students who took commerce stream fared better, followed by science stream students. While 75.68 percent of students in humanities stream become eligible for higher studies, percentage of the same in science and commerce streams are 79 percent and 82.66 percent respectively.
In the sector wise analysis, aided schools topped with 82 percent of candidates becoming eligible for higher studies followed by the government sector at 78.77 percent. In unaided sector, only 69.75 percent students became eligible for higher studies.
All India Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) for admission into 14 national law universities of India for academic year 2014- 2015 was concluded successfully recently.
Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, is the Convener of CLAT 2014.
As many as 33,491 candidates (31,231 for 1,660 Undergraduate seats and 2,260 for 491 Postgraduate seats), successfully registered online for undertaking the test in 21 cities. The results will facilitate admission of successful candidates, on the basis of merit-cum-preference, into these universities.
In addition, several private law universities, faculty and colleges of law of state universities use CLAT score to admit successful candidates. The results will be declared on Saturday, May 31, 2014 followed by the commencement of counselling period for the first 2500 merit-cum-preference candidates from June 1, 2014. It is expected that the admission formalities will be completed between June 24 and June 27, 2014.
EDITORIAL
Private Varsities, an abode of Innovation
COVER STORY
Private Universities : Revolutionising India’s Higher Education Sector
Preparing Students for Life, not Just Exams
Need Facilitators, Not Regulators
Addressing the Changing Needs of Education
Converting Challenges into Opportunities
Institute-Industry Tie-ups Reduce Employability Gap
Corporate Tie-ups Open Many Doors
Encouraging Research for Excellence
Need for Demand-driven Curriculum
Sincerity in Intent Determines tie-ups’ Success
Fostering Strong Bonds to Benefit Students
Following Global Footprints for Excellence
Leveraging Technology to Enhance Education
RUSA may create Enabling Atmosphere
RUSA Can Change Horizon of Higher Education
LEADERS’S SPEAK
Crafting a World-class Knowledge Centre
Preparing Indian Students for Global Career
Providing Employment-ready Technical Graduates
Partnership, a Key to Capacity Building
ADVERTORIAL
SPECIAL FEATURE
COURSE REVIEW
Fashion Designing: A career to break on the Red Carpet
EVENT REPORT
Towards Effective Delivery of Quality Education
Dr A K Srivastava, Director, NDRI talks about higher education sector and its challenges
What has been your mission while promoting the cause of education?
Our vision is to be the centre of excellence in education and research in the area of milk production, processing and management so as to serve as a valuable resource for dairy industry and society. Our mission is to generate new knowledge by engaging in cutting-edge research and to promote academic growth by offering state-of-the-art undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes; to integrate, synthesize, and
apply scientific and technical knowledge related to the production, processing and marketing of milk and milk products to societal problems, and their dissemination to serve the dairy industry, farming community and the nation.
In terms of regulation of the higher education sector, what are the key challenges and prospects in reforming the landscape of higher education?
The key challenges facing the higher education system in the country include poor funding (less than 1 percent of GNP) and poor governance leading to poor infrastructure, chronic shortage of faculty (30-40 percent vacant faculty positions) and thereby low quality of teaching and
learning. The quality of education is also adversely affected due to outdated & rigid curricula, the absence of employer engagement in course content and skills development, and very few opportunities for interdisciplinary learning. The prevalent pedagogies and assessment system
emphasizes only on rote learning giving students very little opportunity to develop a wider range of transversal skills, including critical thinking, analytical reasoning problem-solved and collaborative working. The present education system has been highly politicised wherein politicians acquire a great vested interest in the affairs of universities interfering in recruitment process and overall functioning of the university.
What are your views on RUSA: Will it be a game-changer in higher education and how?
RUSA seems to be one of the greatest reforms in the governance and funding of state universities giving way to a completely new approach towards funding, regulation and governance of higher education in state universities based on key principles of performance-based funding, incentivizing well performing institutions and decision-making through clearly defined norms. However, the scheme involves funding of universities by central and state governments in given ratio. There is an apprehension that it is often difficult to obtain the share of state funding. Moreover, the request for the fund is to be routed through the State Higher Education Councils (SHEC), there may be a delay in getting the funds. However, I feel that, if implemented honestly and successfully, it will bring in a new era of quality assurance and accountability in state universities and colleges in India and can change the horizon of higher education of the country. We can only hope that this policy too does not become another scheme on papers and demonstrate poor execution due to various bureaucratic hurdles and inefficiencies.
With foreign collaborations being the key focus of educational institutes, what are the current and future plans your university in furthering these collaborations?
International collaboration gives students the benefits of shared experience and co-construction of knowledge with peers from diverse perspectives through interaction. NDRI Deemed University has international collaborations with Ridet Institute, Palmerstone North, New Zealand; Erasmus Mundas Programme, Brussels, Belgium and DAAD, Germany.
Do you think industry-academia partnership is important to provide employable skills for students and how?
There is currently limited collaboration of academic institution with industry. There is a strong need to merge the discoverydriven culture of the university with the innovation-driven environment of the industry. But to make the chemistry work, each side must overcome the cultural and communications divide that tends to impair industry-university partnerships and weaken their potential.
Prof S K Kaushal, Vice Chancellor-cum-Chairman, Arni University talks about the policies that can be a game-changer in higher education
What has been your mission while promoting the cause of education?
Arni University is a vibrant, equitable and sustainable university, committed to teaching and research excellence at the service of its students, scholars and wider community. The mission of the University is to provide high quality education contributing to the advancement of knowledge
that is socially relevant, and applying that knowledge to the scientific, technological and social-economic development of our nation and the wider world. Our principles are to commit ourselves to the pursuit of truth, intellectual honesty, openness to ideas and excellence through the attainment of the highest professional and ethical standards in teaching, learning, research and service to the community in vicinity.
In terms of regulation of the higher education sector, what are the key challenges and prospects in reforming the landscape of higher education?
Our imperfect world is advancing relent-lessly towards uncertain future scenarios, and we must try to redirect it towards sustainability, that is, towards a new way of doing things in order to improve our environment while at the same time, achieving justice, social equality and economic
stability. However, change is impossible without learning, just as learning is impossible without change. In the text that follows, I will analyze the need for a new form of education in today’s society and identify the specific challenges that higher education faces.
1. Changes in Universities as institutions and at the level of internal organization. These changes should aim to improve the management of resources (human, economics, etc.) and be restructured to improve internal democracy. Universities must continue their mission to educate, train and carry out research through an approach characterized by ethics, autonomy, responsibility and anticipation.
2. Changes aimed at tapping the potential of information and communication technologies in the creation and dissemination of knowledge. The goal of such changes is to create what Prensky (2009) calls digital wisdom.
What are your views on RUSA: Will it be the game-changer in higher education and how?
RUSA is a good step. It will improve the overall quality of institutions and create an enabling atmosphere in the higher educational institutions where people will devote themselves to research and innovations.
Do you think industry-academia partnership is important to provide employable skills to students and how?
Industry-academia research partnerships have become an important part of good university and corporate R&D. Several basic trends and needs of the academia and industries have fueled these alliances. They include the decrease in government funding of academic research, an explosion in technology, a robust economy, and greater competition within industries. The results of these partnerships are mainly positive for all parties involved. Industry gets needed research, Universities get funding, and society gets new products and technology.
It’s a balancing act of mutual cooperation in which everyone has a shot at winning. To remain competitive in the global economy,
it is imperative that corporate sector accelerate their innovation process. The industry gains expertise in areas they need the most. And they have a hand in producing graduates who are better equipped to enter the business world. We cannot deny that industry has benefited immensely from these partnerships by fueling research in academic centers.
Prof (Dr) Devendra Pathak, Vice Chancellor, APG Shimla University talks about the importance of industry-academia partnership in providing employable skills to students
What has been your mission while promoting the cause of education?
The mission and vision of the promoters of APG Shimla University, is to create leaders who inspire a vision, winners who set positive paradigm of action and achievers who have the will and strength to make the difference.
In terms of regulation of the higher education sector, what are the key challenges and prospects in reforming the landscape of higher education?
In Himachal, we had Himachal Pradesh Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Commission, which has since been struck down by High Court of Himachal Pradesh. However, state government is the regulator through its department of higher education. The government only decides about the number of intake of students, types of courses to be run, tuition fee and hostel charges without any value addition to curricula, assistance to training and development and employability. These are the real bottlenecks in ensuring viability in bringing changes in the higher education landscape.
What are your views on RUSA: Will it be the game-changer in higher education and how?
RUSA is really a revolutionary step aimed at galvanizing the present educational delivery, its pedagogy and methodology hitherto practised. Option for choicebased credit system opens creative avenues for the students to pursue their choice-based subjects adding passion to hobbies and studies.
With foreign collaborations being the key focus of educational institutes, what are the current and future plans of your university in the same?
APG Shimla University already has tieups with more than half a dozen foreign universities and at present, some 60 students from different countries are studying here. The number is likely to go up to 200+ during academic session 2014-15.
Do you think industry-academia partnership is important to provide employable skills to students and how?
Mismatch between the expectations of industry and delivery of academia has been the main stumbling block for employability of the graduating students. We have been trying to bridge the gap by continuous interface with the industry and get our curriculum vetted by
them.
What are your views on the use of ICTs in education? How does the university keep up with the rapid technological changes?
We have given utmost importance to introduction of technology and its convergence has been ensured in all streams, be it management, engineering or any other course.
What role do you think private universities play in the education sector in India?
With three million students seeking to pursue higher education in various streams, the central, state and deemed universities cannot cope up with their existing infrastructure and capacity of intake. Therefore, intervention of private universities is warranted to take care of the increasing demand for higher education.
How can India’s higher education system be made more robust? How has your university been able to provide the necessary knowledge for effective employability of students?
Higher education in India can be robust if faculty is well qualified for dissemination of knowledge, emphasis is laid on original research resulting into productive development, adequate compensation, congenial environment, motivation and support are in place. Close rapport with industry and academia in tune with their expectation, course curricula matching to the needs of corporate and industries with proper infrastructure and lab facilities, etc. will help boost quality and standard of higher education raising the employability quotient of the students.
Prof ORS Rao, Vice Chancellor, ICFAI University, Jharkhand talks about the role of ICTs in Education and more.
What has been your mission while promoting the cause of education?
The ICFAI group has pioneered higher education in India, with pan-India presence, with 11 Universities (seven out of them being in East and North Eastern part of India) and 5 Premier Business Schools across India so that quality higher education is accessible to every Indian, wherever he is, only on the basis of merit. The group’s motto is ‘Meritum Ethicus’, meaning Merit with Ethics. The ICFAI University, Jharkhand is one of the 11 Universities set up by the ICFAI group. The University’s mission is to groom its students into ‘competent professionals, with values’. It also strives to create an intellectually stimulating environment for research, particularly into areas, bearing socio-economic and cultural development of Jharkhand and the nation, as a whole.
Do you think Industry-Academia partnership is important to provide employable skills for students and how?
While Industry is the vehicle to drive the economy of India, Academia provides fuel (skilled manpower) to the industry. However, the paradox is: while only a small percentage of graduating students are employable, the industry currently spends a lot of money not just to recruit people, but to retrain them so that they are made productive. In this scenario, there needs to be a symbiotic partnership between Industry and Academia, for mutual benefit. It should cover the entire academic life cycle of curriculum formulation, academic delivery, guest lectures, internships/projects, placements, etc. Industry also needs help from academia in terms of executive development programmes for its employees (to enhance their capabilities) and consultancy and research & development (for new product development and solving customer problems).
What are your views on the use of ICTs in Education? How does the university keep up with the rapidly changing technological changes?
ICT is an important enabler to ensure effective teaching-learning processes so that requisite knowledge and skills are imparted to the students as per their interests and convenience. In the current scenario, wherein there is scarcity of competent teachers, ICT can complement classroom teaching, by way of video lecturers, video walk-throughs of manufacturing plants, animation films, etc. Besides, virtual labs and simulators can be used by students to conduct experiments where equipment is very expensive or calls for a hazardous environment. Video Conferencing facility can be used for bringing together remotely located teachers with learners (for lectures, seminars, etc) and employers and graduating students (for placement interviews).
How has your university been able to provide the necessary knowledge for effective employability to students?
Our University analyses, on an ongoing basis, the trends in technology and job markets and the changing knowledge and skills requirements of the industry and updates curriculum every year. For instance, we have recently introduced courses in emerging technology areas like IT Infrastructure Management, Cloud Computing, Mobile Computing, Smart devices programming, etc in our curriculum for BCA and B Tech (Computer Sciences). Internships / Projects in industry for durations, ranging from two months (for MBA) to 7 months (for B Tech) are part of our curriculum so as to impart hands-on skills to the students. In recognition of the importance of ‘character building’ for professional and personal success, we introduced ‘Values and Ethics’ in all of our programmes, in collaboration with Rama Krishna Mission Ashrama, Ranchi. In all, we ensure that all graduating students are imparted requisite knowledge and skills so as to make them not only employable but also happy in their lives.
Dr Surekha Thacker, Vice Chancellor, Dr CV Raman University talks about the role of foreign collaborations in the education sector in India
How are you planning to stay afloat in such a cut throat competition among other Universities/ institutes?
We are working in the tribal block. We try to create awareness about need of education amongst rural/tribal folks and provide best facilities to students within their reach.
What is so unique about your University?
Which is the most preferred course among students here? CVRU is the premier university in Chhattisgarh and one of the first to implement semester system even in their UG courses. Our focus is on tribal students. We provide best education to them to bring them up to the level of urban students, expose them to newer techniques and make them employable and work-ready by the time they complete their education.
About 57 percent students in our university are poor and backward and they are offered scholarships either by state government or by the university. We are proud to have 27 percent tribal girl students in Dr CV Raman University. CVRU Teachers are motivated by the university to pursue further higher education and research and the cost is borne by university. Most preferred course among our students is engineering.
How important are corporate tie-ups for private universities in improving the student placements? Industry-University interface and corporate tie-ups are very important for creating employment and employable students. Interface helps us to know what industry expects from education and guides us to impart ‘product specific’ and ‘process specific’ skills to our engineering, management or other students.
What kind of global collaboration that you have at your University?
Why do you think it is necessary? We are in the process of global collaborations to widen our horizons and offer global exposure to our students. We are in discussion with few foreign universities for exchange of teachers/students and technical knowhow. It is necessary because the world is now a ‘global village’ and thinking in isolation will stunt our growth.
What are some of the advantages that you have over government universities?
The university offers pace, resources, talent and intent. The pace of implementation of ideas, new curricula and new technologies are some of the advantages that we have over the government universities. Private universities have good resource management, pool of good talent, creative freedom and zeal to march ahead.
Quality is a serious problemno Indian university, with the exception of IITs and few others, ever features in any global ranking of the top 100 or top 200 global universities. What are your views on it?
We lack sincere professionalism. We abstain from sharing and try to cocoon our talent. Talent sharing, creative freedom for idea implementation, sound financial health, Research oriented approach and global exposure are needed for excelling. Also a right focus on India’s ancient science, rich heritage, herbal medicinesayurveda and other legacies plus the awareness of modern ideas about intellectual property-patents can give us the unique lead in global competition.
What are your expectations from the government?
The government should grant more freedom to good universities. Lessen discussions and focus on work. Follow global footprints and make a mark.
Rajendra Kumar Pandey, President, NIIT University talks about the role private universities play in the education sector in India
What has been your mission while promoting the cause of education?
NIIT University’s vision is to be the leading center of innovation and learning in emerging areas of the knowledge society. Our mission is to foster research, discovery and sustainability, deliver distinctive education through the pioneering use of technology, develop talent for the sustainable growth of Industry and society and nurture a culture of seamlessness in all facets of life.
Do you think industry-academia partnership is important to provide employable skills to students and how?
The rapid pace of growth of knowledge and more specifically knowledge in the domain of science and technology demands innovative approaches in higher education. The response time to understand, meet and face these changes and challenges has to be fast. We believe the only way to be able to respond in a far more effective way to these changes is to go hand in hand partnering with the industry.
Exposing students to the corporate world by the way of frequent industry visits, internships, live projects and interaction with senior management from leading organizations makes for a tremendous difference in the understanding of required skills for industry and corporate culture.
What role do you think private universities play in the education sector in India?
The twenty first century has ushered in profound changes in the way society perceives and demands higher education from universities. The rapid pace with which technologies are changing has also put pressures on the academia to constantly adjust to these changes in a dynamic way. Private universities are uniquely positioned in responding to these challenges. The cultural divide between private university and the corporate world is also narrower, which helps in fostering stronger bonding. The benefits of the bond obviously go to the students in terms of job opportunities. These universities also offer better campus facilities, IT infrastructure and freedom from red tape. These are some of the reasons behind the success of private universities in India.
How has your university been able to provide the necessary knowledge for effective employability of students?
Our strong linkages with industries, technology-based education, worldclass infrastructure, research-driven culture and seamless ideology make us unique. The academic programmes at NIIT University have been designed to ensure that students get exposure to the corporate culture by way of industry practice, internship, corporate mentorship and foreign immersion. We also ensure sufficient exposure to R&D. Many of our students have thus been able to participate in national and international conferences in India as well as abroad and won awards. We are indeed very proud to share that our students have received sponsored research project from DRDO. The University takes pride in providing 100 percent placement to all the students.
How can India’s higher education system be made more robust?
As we are aware, the number of academic institutions in India is just not enough to meet the targeted gross enrolment of 30 percent by 2020. The existing universities have been unable to compete globally in research or knowledge creation. We, therefore, feel the nation needs to encourage the increase in number of institutions for higher education. To compete and to be acknowledged globally, we should also encourage foreign university collaborations and foreign immersion programmes. The industry should also be involved, so as to understand their social responsibility and come forth with their contribution.
